Connor Hellebuyck waited a week, then chose his words carefully.
After saying he had “a lot to say” and wanted to hold off until after the Heritage Classic, the former Winnipeg Jets goaltender finally addressed fans following his official trade to the New Jersey Devils. What came back was a message built on gratitude, not grievance.
In his letter, Hellebuyck looked back on his time in Winnipeg with appreciation, saying he was thankful for “the life my family and I built there” and for the people who became such an important part of it. He said the city was where he grew as a player and where his family started. He also singled out Manitoba’s outdoor life, saying he has always loved the connection people there have to nature and that “Some of my favourite memories away from the rink will always be the time I spent on the water fishing.”
He also acknowledged the reaction to his trade request, writing that he understood why it was “disappointing and frustrating” for many people, especially those who supported him throughout his career. Hellebuyck said the decision was “an extremely difficult decision” and explained that several factors went into it, including “some very challenging circumstances involving my family.” He added that after “a lot of thought and discussion,” the family felt that making a change was best for them, and said they had chosen to keep those personal circumstances private.
Hellebuyck also made sure to thank the people around the organization. He expressed gratitude to Mark Chipman, Kevin Cheveldayoff and the entire Jets organization for the opportunity and trust they gave him over the years.
He also thanked teammates, coaches, trainers, equipment staff and everyone behind the scenes for their friendships, support and memories. And he closed by thanking the fans directly, saying he would never forget the pride he felt representing Winnipeg and wishing the Jets and the community “nothing but the best.”
For those expecting a sharper edge, there wasn’t one. Hellebuyck didn’t take aim at the organization or air out the trade process. He also didn’t address the speculation surrounding his family after the Olympics, though he did suggest that something had happened by referring to “very challenging circumstances involving my family.”
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Devils Just Made Their Belief In This Core Impossible To Miss
Martin Brodeur made the Devils thinking pretty clear after the club landed Connor Hellebuyck, framing the move as a direct response to where this roster sits right now. With the core players in their prime, the organization viewed adding an established goaltender as a necessary step, not a luxury, and Brodeur pointed to Hellebuycks experience as a major part of why the deal made sense for New Jerseys push to stay in the mix.
Hellebuycks first night in a Devils sweater offered an immediate glimpse of what that belief looks like on the ice. He stopped 17 shots in a 5-1 win over the Dallas Stars, giving New Jersey exactly the kind of stabilizing presence it hoped to add while signaling that the front office is serious about advancing this competitive window rather than waiting for it to open on its own. [Read more 🡒]
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The evening will also feature a ceremonial puck drop from World War II veteran Bob Walsh, along with performances by military personnel and fundraising efforts that benefit veterans. For a team trying to make the building feel like more than just a hockey venue, it has become a tradition that blends pageantry with genuine gratitude, and one that has clearly earned its place on the Devils home schedule. [Read more 🡒]